Teased as a Time Machine ahead of its unveiling, Volvo's Concept 26 reimagines the car cabin as a space for creation and consumption as well as commuting once self-driving vehicles have become the norm.
In the weeks leading up to the LA Auto Show, Volvo teased that it was bringing a Time Machine with the "potential of giving significant time back to drivers." And that significant amount of time is 26 minutes -- the length of the average commute to work in the U.S.
Volvo has established itself as one of the early leaders in the race to bring autonomous driving technology to real-world production cars. It is already running an ambitious multi-year ‘Drive Me' pilot scheme in Gothenburg, Sweden on real-world roads. What's more, it has pledged to have these next-generation systems up and running by decade's end.
However, until now, the company's focus has been on the environment outside rather than inside the car and how that is going to have to change when self-driving cars become the norm.
Concept 26 addresses this by reimagining the cabin as a space for working, relaxing or driving for pleasure. "Our research clearly shows that some people will want to use their commuting time creatively when they have full autonomous drive available, while others will want to just sit back and relax," said Robin Page, Volvo's Vice President of Interior Design.
When driving becomes a chore, the steering wheel retracts into the dashboard and is replaced by a large screen for creativity or consumption. At the same time the seat moves back and reclines for greater space, comfort and practicality.
"We have gone to great lengths to understand the challenges and opportunities that autonomous cars will bring to people in coming years," said Dr Peter Mertens, Volvo's Senior Vice President of Research and Development, "We can readily bring this from concept to reality."
As well as looking to the future, Volvo showed what is already possible. A Volvo XC90 semi autonomously transported LA mayor Eric Garcetti to this year's show using Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist. It can control acceleration, braking and steering while maintaining distance at speeds of up to 50km/h and will be offered on all 2016 models. "[It's] just another step toward our vision of a day when drivers will be able to choose between driving themselves on a spirited run along Mulholland Drive, and safely delegating the driving to the car in rush-hour traffic," said Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo North America's CEO.
